Easter

Kenna was taught at school last week that we celebrate Easter because Jesus died for us.

Well, among other things, I don't believe that, but aside from it being a good taboo story that they taught that at school, I don't really mind Kenna learning it.

It's a critical teaching that affects almost all of us personally or through our relationships in some way. No, I don't believe that Jesus was a divine being who died to take away my sins. But I do believe that the idea that someone could love you or anyone so much that they would die for you is a powerful message. And more so the idea that this act of love could defy the universe and produce miraculous effects is also critical and powerful. I believe that the energy of love is physical and real and exists. And so tell whatever story works for you because I believe that things can become new, and that watching the earth come back to life must be symbolic of something deeper in my life and in humanity. Pains can be healed. Guilt can be washed clean. Mistakes can be wiped away. We hurt each other all the time. On purpose. On accident. On purpose again. But we each also hold the power within us to create miraculous life change in ourselves and in others. Every time we forgive or say sorry. Every time we let someone say sorry or pay it forward. Every time we hope within the darkness. Every time we plant, grow, harvest. Every time we start again -- we represent the glory in the idea that a person would die for me, a person can give every thing to another, a person can be healed from pain and grief and failure and mistake. Call it what you will.

It's real. It's powerful. And this power that I believe exists in the universe is enough for me. It is beautiful, and it is enough.

But teach it to my child in anyway you can. I give you my permission (for today). Teach them all that there is a universal power so strong that they can always start again, always feel loved, always know that hope is coming. Always heal. Always try. And aways trust again and again and again.

Maybe some people don't need to know that the world is magical and the magic is in us, but I needed to know it. And I am sure that McKenna needs to know it. There are people like me and McKenna everywhere. So sensitive. Feeling so deeply. And we need it. And for this, I love Jesus. (And Martin Luther King, Jr.) And I love each little seed bringing forth new life and changing the earth. And I love the normal Christians and the crazy ones. And the hippies. And the yogis. And Islam. "Let's work together for unity and peace." (Ghandi) There is a power so great, and I choose to welcome it's rebirth today ... With eggs and chocolate and love.

Happy Easter